Saint Paul DFL candidates file for mayor and school board races

July 30—Saint Paul DFL-endorsed candidates for Mayor and Saint Paul Board of Education filed for office today. All candidates received the party endorsement at last month’s citywide endorsing convention. Today is the first day candidates interested in elected office can file with Ramsey County. The general election will occur November 5, 2013.

“We have endorsed a very strong slate of candidates this year,” remarked Darren Tobolt, Chair of the Saint Paul DFL. “They all have very broad support from the community and are committed to working together for Saint Paul’s future, and we look forward to communicating that to voters in every neighborhood this election cycle.”

Chris Coleman (Saint Paul Mayor)

Chris Coleman is seeking his third term as mayor of Saint Paul. In his first two terms as mayor, Coleman has made public safety his top priority while overseeing major revitalization throughout many of Saint Paul’s neighborhoods.

Pointing to the Green Line and his efforts to close the achievement gap in Saint Paul schools as examples, Mayor Coleman said, “We are a better community when we all work together. Saint Paul is a city of strong and unique neighborhoods with citizens that value a thriving city. I intend to keep working with all of Saint Paul to ensure that all our neighborhoods continue to be vibrant places to live, work and play for future generations.”

The three St Paul DFL-endorsed candidates that filed for school board positions have diverse backgrounds but all share a passion for helping Saint Paul students succeed. Incumbents Jean O’Connell and John Brodrick will join new candidate, Chue Vue, on the ballot. The three candidates seek to be elected to the three vacancies on the Saint Paul School Board.

John Brodrick (Saint Paul Board of Education)

John Brodrick is a longtime Saint Paul resident and has 34 years of classroom experience in Saint Paul Schools as a teacher and coach. Serving in his third term on the board, Brodrick notes that there is still much work to do.

“We have made significant progress in recent years toward ensuring that our schools are safe and welcoming spaces for all of our students to receive a first-class education; but, we still have a lot of work to do and I look forward to providing my voice of experience in getting that work done,” Brodrick says.

Jean O’Connell (Saint Paul Board of Education)

Jean O’Connell is a lifelong Saint Paul resident and former 3M executive, serving in her second term on the school board. She is currently the Chair of the School Board. O’Connell was co-chair for the Vote Yes for Strong Schools committee which advocated for the property tax levy referendum which won with 61.5% approval in November 2012.

O’Connell notes, “I am running to delivering on the promise we made to voters in 2012—to use technology as a tool to help all students achieve to their greatest potential.”

Chue Vue (Saint Paul Board of Education)

Chue Vue was born in Laos, and came to the United States at the age of 10. He is a former research chemist, now working as an attorney. Vue, who is seeking public office for the first time, credits his excellent teachers from his youth with his motivation to seek office.

“Education opened many doors for me since those first days of school half a lifetime ago. Now, I have my own children. For them, and for all our children, I want the same opportunities I was given.”